Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has revealed he would like to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as the Red Devils’ manager – and he unleashed a new nonsensical fish-themed metaphor to mark the occasion.

Famed for his talk of seagulls, trawlers and sardines, the Frenchman again took to the seas to explain that he wants the top job at Old Trafford.

Asked how he would react if offered the job, he said: “I would say, ‘United is special, so of course I would do it’.

“Today I’m with the New York Cosmos. But if one day there is an opportunity? Why not. Like diving from here to the sea, watching, speaking to the fish, octopus, crabs and journalists.”

But he also told the Daily Mirror that he would like to see his old manager go on forever.

The 46-year-old said: “Alex Ferguson is young, has so much energy, so much love of the game, so many things to give, more and more and more.

“And I love to watch them winning things and I want Ferguson to be manager forever.

“He’s a winner, that’s why he has won so many things. It’s what is incredible with him, next game is like the first game of his career, and he gives you that – his passion, his love of the game, love of winning things.”